After the read of the What Are Tahitian Black Pearls article, you will learn about Tahitian Black Pearls with the following.
What is a Tahitian black pearl?
Where do Tahitian black pearls come from?
How to culture Tahitian black pearls?
How rare are black Tahitian pearls?
What is the cost of Tahitian black pearls?
How to select Tahitian black pearls?
What are the different grades of Tahitian black pearls?
How to tell if a black Tahitian pearl is real?
What is a Tahitian black pearl?
Tahitian black pearls are a specialty black pearl of the salt lakes in French Polynesia in the South Pacific and are so precious that they enjoy the reputation of being the Queen’s pearls and the Best Pearls.
A Tahitian Black Pearl is a cultured pearl that starts as a mother or pearl nucleus placed through a grafting operation performed by a qualified Black-lip pearl oyster.
Tahitian black pearls are very difficult to cultivate, the process of culturing pearl shells is long and easy to die, coupled with the influence of weather and water quality and other factors, the finished product is very rare. There are five criteria for grading the quality of Tahitian black pearls, namely volume, shape, color, skin light, and purity.
Where do Tahitian black pearls come from?
There are only two main natural sources of black pearls, Tahiti in the Polynesian Islands, which produces 95% of the world’s black pearls;
The second is the Cook Islands islands of Penryn and Majuhiki, which produce 4% of the total. These two regions live in the same south-central Pacific Ocean, so also known as black pearls for the black South Seas beads.
Tahitian black pearls, although called black pearls, are not really all black, pure black is rare, and its color is very rich, to grey, black has two basic colors peacock green, purple, aquamarine, brown gold, etc., which is the highest value of the peacock green.
Only black pearls produced in Tahiti can be called Tahitian black pearls. The black butterfly shells used to cultivate Tahitian black pearls have been farmed for at least 3-5 years before they can produce black pearls that meet the Tahitian standard. The bead layer is thick, lustrous, rounded in shape, and has a more metallic oil shine than other black pearls, and a longer wearing life.
How to culture Tahitian black pearls?
In the sixties, the natural pearls of French Polynesia were threatened with extinction due to the indiscriminate harvesting of oyster shoals, which led to a halt in the harvesting operations.
In 1961, experiments with artificial culturing began in the salt lakes on the island of Bora Bora, and the large harvests of 1963 confirmed the feasibility of developing pearl farming in the region.
A number of farms were established on the islands of Manihi, Marutea, and Mangareva. Cultivation of pearl oysters is a long process and requires careful nurturing as the roots of the oyster fry die easily.
The black-lipped pearl oyster lives in the coral of the Polynesian Salt Lake, where it lays its eggs and fertilizes them underwater at regular intervals throughout the year. These shell fry, called oyster eggs, go around as mayflies for a month, some sticking to the coral and growing, while others die and are buried in the sand.
Pearl farmers put seedling harvesters under the water to collect naturally reproducing shell fry and then spend three years cultivating them under the water. During these three years, the shells are carefully nurtured and cleaned several times.
When the pearl shells are ready, they undergo nucleation, which aims to stimulate the secretion of nacreous layers from the outer coat membrane of the shells to gradually form pearls.
The process consists of inserting a spherical nucleus into the pearl shell and removing a small piece of the outer membrane from another pearl shell, which in the following years may regard the nucleus as an intruder and encase it layer by layer in nacreous fluid, or it may be expelled from the pearl shell.
The pearls must be carefully removed at harvest time and the pearl shells returned to the lake. This process may sound simple, but these mollusks are so soft and delicate that for every 100 nucleated nudibranchs, only 30 will produce a pearl, and only one or two of these will be perfect.
Pearls are susceptible to weather and water quality during cultivation, such as tornadoes or rising water temperatures. It is these factors that lead to the formation of irregular, semi-irregular, and ring-shaped pearls. It is also these factors that make perfect pearls rare.
The combination of more than twenty years of experience by the culturists, the careful cultivation of the mother-of-pearl species, and the right time and place have revived the cultivation of Tahitian pearls.
Queen of Pearls, the best Tahitian pearls
How rare are black Tahitian pearls?
Tahitian pearls, unlike Japanese pearls and South Sea pearls, are exceptionally valuable.
Because the pearl itself is cultured by a kind of precious black disc mussel (a kind of rare mussel that grows only in the natural, pollution-free waters of Polynesia), its different degrees of grey with different colors of illusions, make the pearl even more different from others.
In addition, the environment and harvesting process is so stringent that only 50 out of every 100 black disc mussels are able to produce a pearl, and only five of them are flawless, making each pearl extremely valuable.
Tahitian cultured pearls are crystals produced by the Pinctada Margaritifera nacreous shell. These shells are black in color and grow mainly in the lagoons of French Polynesia. Their thick nacreous layer consists of aragonite, which contains organic material and calcium carbonate.
In French Polynesia, only pearls derived from locally transplanted cumingi nacreous shells are authorized to use the name “Tahitian cultured pearls” in trade. This type of pearl has a nacreous layer that is more than 80% of the surface thickness and does not show the internal nucleus.
What is the cost of Tahitian black pearls?
Are Tahitian black pearls valuable?
The market is oversaturated with artificially-made and dyed pearls, which makes it quite tricky when it comes to identifying real pearls, particularly black ones.
Tahitian black pearls have been so highly sought after because they are larger, have a more brilliant luster, and round shapes occur in a higher percentage.
Tahitian pearls, also known as black Tahitian pearls are incredibly valuable. Even those of the lowest quality can be found for $200 per pearl.
How to select Tahitian black pearls?
Tahitian Black Pearls Buying Guide
Cultured pearls are cleaned and sorted into grades before they are given to dealers for sale.
Tahitian black pearls are not black in color but have a dark greenish hue. In the assessment criteria of the pearl, the color is only one aspect, which is not the only standard, more is to look at the size and roundness of the bead, the brightness of the luster and the sense of luster, and so on.
Size of black Tahitian pearl
The size of a Tahitian black pearl refers to the size of the unit pearl.
Size plays an important role in the price of a pearl. The larger the diameter of a pearl of the same grade, the higher the value.
The size of Tahitian pearls is generally classified into the following five grades according to diameter:
Small black pearl: 8.0mm≦Diameter≦9.0mm
Medium black pearl: 10.0mm≦Diameter≦14.0mm
Large black pearl: 14.0mm≦Diameter≦16.0mm
Extra Large black pearl: 16.0mm≦Diameter≦18.0mm
Super Large black pearl: Diameter>18.0mm
The size of a black pearl is calculated by its shortest diameter. Generally, the size of Tahitian black pearls ranges from 8mm to 14mm, and even 16mm. Anything over eighteen millimeters is rare. The largest Tahitian black pearl on record is twenty-one millimeters in diameter.
Shape of black Tahitian pearl
A round Tahitian black pearl is recognized as the most beautiful pearl and is highly coveted. Fine round pearls are extremely rare, but other shapes are also available.
Color of black Tahitian pearl
Cultured grey and black Tahitian pearls have a variety of luster when exposed to light. The most appreciated are peacock green, rich purple, aquamarine, and various shades of grey and iridescence.
According to traditional aesthetics, grey pearls are suitable for fair-skinned people, while darker skin tones are more suited to black pearls; other factors should also be taken into account, such as the color of the eyes, the hair, and the clothes worn.
The luster of black Tahitian pearl
The so-called skin luster of a pearl refers to its appearance. Whether or not its appearance is smooth and illuminating, and whether or not it reacts to the light source with an attractive halo color, are the criteria for measuring the skin luster.
The luster of Tahitian pearls is similar to that of a mirror, reflecting a person’s reflection when viewed straight on, and it has a reflective color that is particularly brilliant.
Luster is one of the most important factors in measuring the quality of pearls, the so-called pearl luster, The luster of the pearl is its soul, and this is also true for Tahitian black pearls.
Good pearl luster can reflect all the light, produce a mirror-like effect, and the image is very clear. According to the level of luster, it can be classified as very strong, strong, medium, or weak.
Purity of black Tahitian pearl
As with other types of pearls, the value of a Tahitian cultured pearl is largely determined by the quality of its skin.
The skin of a pearl is identified by the number of imperfections, such as dents, scratches, and flowery black spots, which can reduce its value.
Tahitian black pearl grading
What are the different grades of Tahitian black pearls?
Tahitian cultured pearl farmers generally use four ratings for surface quality: Clean-Very Lightly Blemished (A), Lightly Blemished (B), Moderately Blemished (C), Heavily Blemished (D). All surface grading is done with the naked eye (no magnification device like a jeweler’s loop).
Tahitian black pearls graded as “Excellent Quality” have excellent skin, are round and symmetrical, and size and color are not major factors.
Tahitian black pearls graded as “Most Commercial Quality”, regardless of size or color, are pearls with medium luster and some irregular surfaces.
Tahitian black pearls with organic stains, multiple blemishes, or insufficient nacre are not commercially viable.
Is it true that the darker the Tahitian black pearl, the better?
There is no universal standard for the color and luster of Tahitian black pearls, and the judgment is not limited to color.
According to the national standard, the general grading in the industry is mainly based on five items: volume, shape, color, skin light, and purity.
Tahitian pearls that are graded as “excellent quality” have excellent skin light and are rounded into a symmetrical shape, with size and color not being the main factors to be considered.
Secondly, the color of Tahitian black pearls is not always pure black, and it is very rare for them to be completely black.
The production of Tahitian pearls is very small, if you see a pure black pearl on the market that claims to be from Tahiti, and the price is also very cheap, then be careful to check whether it is artificially treated.
How to tell if a black Tahitian pearl is real?
The Tahitian black pearls from the Pinctada margaritifera or Black-lip pearl oyster, are more commonly known as Tahitian pearls.
The Tahitian black pearl is an organic gem formed from the black lip oyster. These pearls derive their name from the fact that they are primarily cultivated around the islands of French Polynesia, around Tahiti with a black color.
Fake Tahitian pearls are frequently sold with a smooth, matt surface and a perfectly spherical shape. It’s important to remember that a genuine Tahitian pearl should reflect light. The shine of a Tahitian pearl is a criterion for determining the authenticity of a top-grade black pearl.
How do you take care of Tahitian black pearls?
Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners, or even the softest of brushes to clean your pearls. To safely clean your pearls, simply bathe them in water and wipe them dry with a lint-free cloth.
Below are the 6 caring for your Tahitian black pearls tips.
1. Away from the kitchen
Tahitian black pearls have tiny pores on the surface, so it is not advisable to let them inhale dirty substances in the air. Pearls will absorb hair spray, perfume, and other substances.
Do not wear beautiful Tahitian black pearls to electric hair, in the kitchen should also be careful. Do not wear beautiful Tahitian black pearls to cook, steam and fumes may penetrate the pearl, making it yellow.
2. Anti-acid erosion
In order to make the pearl’s luster and color unaffected, one should avoid letting Tahitian black pearls contact with acid, alkali, and chemicals, such as perfume, soap, and styling water.
Do not wear Tahitian black pearl jewelry for swimming or bathing. So please wear your lovely Tahitian black pearls after make-up.
3. Not near clean water
Do not use water to clean your Tahitian black pearl necklace. Water can enter into the small holes of the beads, which is not only difficult to wipe dry, but also may cause fermentation inside, and the bead line may turn green.
If you sweat a lot while wearing them, wipe them off carefully with a soft damp towel, let them dry naturally, and put them back in the jewelry box.
After the pearl turns yellow, you can remedy it this way: soak it in dilute hydrochloric acid, which can dissolve the yellowed shell and make the Tahitian black pearl reappear with a brilliant, lustrous, and attractive color. But if the color turns yellow, it is difficult to reverse.
4. Cashmere cloth serving
Every time after wear pearls (especially on hot days) must clean the pearls and wipe them before putting them on, so you can maintain the luster of Tahitian black pearls.
It is best to use sheepskin or delicate flannel, do not use tissue paper, because some tissue paper friction will be Tahitian black pearls.
5. Need air
Do not keep Tahitian black pearls in a safe for a long time, and do not seal them in a plastic bag. Between the pearls need fresh air, every few months will have to take them out to wear, and let them breathe. If left in a box for a long period of time pearls tend to turn yellow.
6. Take off the Tahitian black pearls
In the hot summer, wearing Tahitian black pearl jewelry must remember to take it down at night, with a soft flannel wipe it clean, and then put it into the jewelry box, You can long maintain the gloss of Tahitian black pearls.
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